Breathing techniques – or lack thereof – during sprinting have long caused a divide among runners and coaches. Each sprinter seems to swear by a certain breathing method, and no conclusive research exists to prove which method is “best.” While trainers and coaches offer suggestions and guidelines, it's most important to listen to your body, maintain consistency and provide your body with a maximal amount of oxygen to fuel your muscles.

Step 1

Breathe steadily and deeply on the starting blocks before your sprint begins. Exhale as you explode upward off the blocks.

Step 2

Breathe fully and deeply on each breath to avoid leg weakness. Strained breathing causes a stress on the respiratory muscles, which causes a chain reaction of muscle fatigue. However, deep breaths supply the maximum amount of oxygen to your muscles. Focus on filling your diaphragm, inflating your belly with air with each inhalation and deflating it on each exhalation.

Step 3

Breathe through your mouth, which takes in a larger oxygen supply than the nose. A tight jaw can also act as a source of tension; sprinting with a loose jaw helps encourage the release of tension from the head-down, which helps improve your form and muscle control.

Step 4

Establish a steady, natural breathing pattern that is in sync with your sprint distance. Start with your initial exhalation off the block and take long, deep breaths as your reach yard markers, such as an inhalation once every 10 or 20 yards, depending on your lung capacity. Focus on rhythmic inhalations and exhalations that last for the same amount of time. Don't worry about making it an exact science – focus on steady rhythm and your body will tell you when you need to breathe. Over time, your breathing intervals might change as your endurance and lung capacity increase.

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About the Author

Dan Ketchum has been a professional writer since 2003, with work appearing online and offline in Word Riot, Bazooka Magazine, Anemone Sidecar, Trails and more. Dan's diverse professional background spans from costume design and screenwriting to mixology, manual labor and video game industry publicity.